Weighted bracelet for fine-motor activity

ABSTRACT

A weighted bracelet for enhancing fine-motor activities such as writing, used by an individual with a fine-motor impairment, is disclosed. The bracelet provides a flexible string of predetermined length, with a plurality of magnetic beads disposed along the length of the string. A plurality of non-magnetic beads are interspersed along the string between the magnetic beads. When the bracelet is wrapped in a looping configuration about the forearm of the individual and proximal the wrist, the individual&#39;s fine-motor coordination is enhanced. Preferably, the bracelet is used for not more than two hours at one session, with at least a non-use period of twenty minutes before further usage. In preferred embodiments the non-magnetic beads are dispersed between adjoining magnetic beads in a ratio of two-to-one. In one embodiment, the total weight of the bracelet is about four ounces. In an alternative embodiment for smaller children, the bracelet has a total weight of three ounces.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to occupational therapy devicesand more particularly to a bracelet for enhancing fine-motorcoordination.

BACKGROUND

Writing and other fine-motor activities are particularly challenging forindividuals with disabilities such as a hand tremor or diminishedcoordination. The result can be that individuals may be inhibited fromperforming such activities. Children with such disabilities may even beimpeded from learning to write properly, leading to other educationaldifficulties. Some individuals present with poor sensory feedback in theproprioceptive system (receptors in muscles and tendons perceivecontraction, compression and stretching), making it difficult to gradetouch pressure in relation to objects, sense awareness of the body inspace, have awareness of joint position, (position sense) and haveawareness of movement (kinesthesia).

One attempt to deal with this issue has been to provide a weighted handpatch attached to the dorsal aspect of a glove, such as advertised inthe 2006 catalog for Southpaw Enterprises of Dayton, Ohio, p. 103, or afive fingered weighted glove with the weight sewn inside the dorsalaspect of the hand in the 2005 catalog for Therapro of Framingham,Mass., p. 79. Such patches are worn on the hand either to build strengthor to enhance proprioceptive feedback. However, such attemptsnecessarily entail a psychological drawback. The user is visuallyidentified as using an article for a disability, thus potentiallystigmatizing the individual and perhaps even causing the individual notto use the article. In addition, hand patches may be uncomfortable towear because of the accumulation of perspiration, chafing or the likearound the edges. Also the weighted gloves are difficult for children todon independently.

What is needed is a convenient article and method for enhancing thefine-motor skills of individuals with disabilities, yet one which isaesthetically pleasing, comfortable, convenient to don and wear andhence likely be used.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention solves the problems of the prior art by providingan aesthetically pleasing, comfortable, easily worn and secured braceletfor fine-motor activities such as writing. The bracelet provides aflexible string of predetermined length, with a plurality of magneticbeads disposed along the length of the string. A plurality ofnonmagnetic beads are interspersed along the string between the magneticbeads. When the bracelet is wrapped in a looping configuration about theforearm of the individual and proximal the wrist, the individual'sfine-motor coordination is enhanced. Preferably, the bracelet is usedfor not more than two hours at one session, with at least a non-useperiod of twenty minutes before further usage.

In preferred embodiments the nonmagnetic beads are dispersed betweenadjoining magnetic beads in a ratio of two-to-one. In one embodiment,the total weight of the bracelet is about four ounces. In an alternativeembodiment for smaller children, the bracelet has a total weight ofthree ounces.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a partial side view showing a bracelet, worn on the wrist of aperson holding a pencil, in accordance with the invention;

FIG. 2 is a plan view of the inventive bracelet;

FIG. 3 is a plan view of a string;

FIG. 4 is a plan view of an alternative embodiment of the inventivebracelet, partially shown; and

FIG. 5 is a plan view of another alternative embodiment of the inventivebracelet, partially shown.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring to the drawings in general and FIG. 1 in particular, abracelet 10 according to the present invention is shown being worn by aperson 12 (partially shown). Person 12 has a forearm 14, wrist 16 and ahand 18. Person 12 is holding a pencil 20 in hand 18.

Referring to FIG. 2, bracelet 10 is shown in more detail. In particular,bracelet 10 includes a string 22 (see FIG. 3), a plurality of magneticbeads 24, a plurality of non-magnetic beads 26, a first end magnet 28,and a second end magnet 30. The preferred embodiment bracelet 10includes a total of 46 magnetic beads 24, a total of 90 non-magneticbeads 26 and the total weight of bracelet 10 is about 4 ounces.

Referring to FIG. 3, string 22 has a first end 32, a second end 34, andhas an unstretched length from first end 32 to second end 34 of about 41and ¾ inches. String 22 is about one millimeter in diameter. String 22presents a length-wise axis as indicated at reference numeral 36. String22 is flexible and made of a synthetic resin. In particularly preferredembodiments, string 22 is the brand known as “Stretch Magic” made byPepperell Braiding Company of Pepperell, Mass. Stretch Magic string is alatex-free, high-tech polymer which will not crack or harden over time.

Referring again to FIG. 2, magnetic beads 24 are preferably “rice beads”as known in the industry, i.e. beads of the illustrated shape and madeof lodestone (magnetite), although any magnetic bead (e.g. hematite) maybe substituted. Each magnetic bead 24 is substantially smooth and oblongand presents a length-wise axis as indicated at reference numeral 38,which is co-linear with string axis 36. Each magnetic bead 24 preferablypresents a bead length of about ⅝ inch along bead axis 38.

Still referring to FIG. 2, non-magnetic beads 26 are preferably “Wonderbeads,” as referred to in the industry, and are made of acrylic and havea diameter of 4 mm. Non-magnetic beads 26, as will be appreciated byinspection, will be interspersed along string 22 in between magneticbeads 24 in a ratio of two non-magnetic beads 26 to each adjoiningmagnetic bead 24 in the preferred embodiment. Each non-magnetic bead 26is substantially spherical and preferably presents a radius less thanhalf the axial length of each magnetic bead 24 (the radius of thepreferred Wonder bead is 2 mm).

First end magnet 28 is disposed on first end 32 of string 22 (see FIG.3). Likewise, second end magnet 30 is disposed on second end 34 ofstring 22 (see FIG. 3). Both first end magnet 28 and second end magnet30 may be metallic or any other suitable material.

Referring to FIG. 4, an alternative bracelet 110 is illustrated. Inparticular, bracelet 110 of FIG. 4 is substantially identical withbracelet 10 of FIG. 1 except that a selected number of indicia beads 126(substituted in manufacture for corresponding nonmagnetic beads 26) hasprinted indicia presented thereon. In the preferred embodiment, indiciabeads 126 are made of acrylic or other plastic. In this fashion, auser's name, for example, such as “Jenny,” may be printed on bracelet110.

Referring to FIG. 5, a second alternative bracelet 210 is similar tothat of bracelet 10 in FIG. 2, except that the total number of magneticbeads 24 is 34 and the total number of non-magnetic beads 26 is 66. Thetotal weight of bracelet 210 is about 3 ounces. The unstretched lengthof string 22 (see FIG. 3) for bracelet 210 is about 31 and ⅜ inches.

The use of bracelet 10 will now be discussed. The function of bracelets110 and 210 will be exactly the same, except as otherwise noted.Bracelet 10 may be selected by a therapist, consultant, etc. In theembodiment of FIG. 2 as already noted, the total weight of bracelet 10is about 4 ounces. However depending on the disability of a person 12,age, etc. a different weight may be chosen for the best therapeuticresult. It is believed that the range of weight for reasonabletherapeutic results is between one and eight ounces for the bracelet.The weight of 3 ounce bracelet 210 of FIG. 5 may be more appropriate forsmall children, for example, about age 5.

Referring to FIG. 1, bracelet 10 is wrapped around forearm 14 andproximal wrist 16 in the looping configuration as shown in FIG. 1. Asperson 12 begins to write with pencil 20 (or any other fine-motoractivity which is desired), the proprioceptic effect occurs. In otherwords, the tactile sensation caused by bracelet 10, as well as theweight bearing load, means that person 12 will experience an enhancedcoordination and thus perform better at fine-motor tasks. Because of thesmooth shape of beads 24 and 26 (i.e., no facets or sharp points), theproprioceptic effect is optimized. Because of the 2-to-1 ratio ofnon-magnetic beads 26 to magnetic beads 24, sufficient flexibility ofbracelet 10 is achieved for purposes of wrapping around forearm 14.

Generally, a 1-to-1 ratio of beads between magnetic beads 24 andnon-magnetic beads 26 would not yield as desirable a level offlexibility. On the other hand, a 3-to 1 ratio of non-magnetic beads 26to magnetic beads 24 would unduly lengthen bracelet 10 since most of theweight of bracelet 10 is attributable to magnetic beads 24. In thisfashion, person 12 may engage in writing or other fine-motor activitiesfor a time period optimally no more about two hours. At the end of thatsession, at least about 20 minutes of non-use is desirable, i.e.bracelet 10 is unwrapped and removed from forearm 14. Otherwise, thetherapeutic effect of bracelet 10 may become greatly diminished.

After a non-use period of at least 20 minutes the process may berepeated for another two hour use period. This pattern may be repeatedmany times during the day so that several two hour sessions could beperformed in one 24 hour period.

It should be apparent that the invention not only accomplishes the majorfunctions required from such articles but does so in a particularlyadvantageous manner. It should be equally apparent, however, thatvarious minor and equivalent modifications from the embodimentsdisclosed herein for illustrative purposes could be employed withoutdeparting from the essence of the invention. It is to be understood,therefore, that the invention should be regarded as encompassing notonly the subject matter literally defined by the claims which follow,but also technical equivalents thereof.

1. A weighted bracelet for use by an individual with a fine-motorimpairment in a fine-motor manual activity, the bracelet comprising: (a)a flexible string having a predetermined length; (b) a plurality ofmagnetic beads disposed along the length of the string; and (c) aplurality of non-magnetic beads interspersed along the string betweenthe magnetic beads in a ratio of two to one non-magnetic beads betweenadjoining magnetic beads, such that when the bracelet is wrapped in alooping configuration about the forearm of the individual and proximalthe wrist, the individual's fine-motor coordination is enhanced.
 2. Thebracelet of claim 1, wherein the string has a first end and a second endand further including: (a) a first end magnet disposed on the first endof the string; and (b) a second end magnet disposed on the second end ofthe string.
 3. The bracelet of claim 1, wherein the string presents alength-wise axis and each magnetic bead is substantially smooth andoblong, and presents a lengthwise axis co-linear with the string axis,each magnetic bead further presenting a bead length along the bead axis.4. The bracelet of claim 3, wherein each non-magnetic bead issubstantially spherical, and presents a radius less than half the axiallength of each magnetic bead.
 5. The bracelet of claim 1, wherein thestring is made of a synthetic resin and presents a diameter of 1 mm. 6.The bracelet of claim 1, wherein the bracelet has a total weight ofabout four ounces.
 7. The bracelet of claim 1, wherein the bracelet hasa total weight of about three ounces.
 8. The bracelet of claim 1,wherein the length of the string is about 41 and ¾ inches.
 9. Thebracelet of claim 1, wherein the total number of magnetic beads is 46.10. The bracelet of claim 1, wherein the weight of the bracelet is in arange between one and eight ounces.
 11. The bracelet of claim 1, whereina plurality of the beads include printed indicia.
 12. A weightedbracelet for use by an individual with a fine-motor impairment in afine-motor manual activity, the bracelet comprising: (a) a flexible,synthetic resin string having an unstretched length of 41 and ¾ inches,the string having a first end and a second end, the string presenting alength-wise axis; (b) a plurality of smooth, oblong, magnetic beadsdisposed along the length of the string, each magnetic bead presenting alengthwise axis co-linear with the string axis, each magnetic beadfurther presenting a bead length along the bead axis; (c) a plurality ofsubstantially spherical, non-magnetic beads interspersed along thestring between the magnetic beads in a ratio of two non-magnetic beadsbetween adjoining magnetic beads, each non-magnetic bead presenting aradius less than half the axial length of each magnetic bead; (d) afirst end magnet disposed on the first end of the string; and (e) asecond end magnet disposed on the second end of the string such thatwhen the bracelet is wrapped in a looping configuration about theforearm of the individual and proximal the wrist, the individual'sfine-motor coordination is enhanced.
 13. The bracelet of claim 12,wherein the total number of magnetic beads is
 46. 14. A method ofenhancing fine-motor coordination in an individual with a fine-motorimpairment, the method comprising: (a) providing a bracelet, thebracelet including, a flexible string having a predetermined length, aplurality of magnetic beads disposed along the length of the string, aplurality of non-magnetic beads interspersed along the string betweenthe magnetic beads with at least one non-magnetic bead between each setof adjoining magnetic beads; and (b) wrapping the bracelet in a loopingconfiguration about the forearm of the individual and proximal thewrist, whereby the individual's fine-motor coordination is enhanced. 15.The method of claim 14, wherein the period for use of the bracelet is nomore than about two hours.
 16. The method of claim 15, wherein thebracelet is used for up to two hours, then removed for at least abouttwenty minutes and then re-used for up to two hours.